In CDT, we have been given the chance to set up our own project. The only rules that we have to go by are that it has to be a sensible, realistic idea and it can't just be a pile of rubbish when we have finished. On this page, I will record everything I will do during my project. This includes all my research and ideas.
My Project
I Really love bracelets. I love making them, collecting them and wearing them. A group of my friends are making jewellery trees and so I thought I would join them as this is a thing I am really interested in.
But Why?
I decided to go ahead with this project because I am really interestd in making things that I will find a use for and that require a lot of fiddling about(eg. I made a bracelet that involved making my own clasps and bending the wire to keep the beads on). another reason why I chose this is because I have a lot of bracelets and I have no where to put them.
this is my main idea for what I would like to make.
My Reseach
For my Project I will need to,
Shape steel rods - this is when you heat the metal using a blow torch until it is cherry red. Then, either holding it in a vice or putting it on the anvil, you use tongs to twist/pull the metal into the required shape.
Instead of shaping steel rods, I could put a few thin wires in a wooden base and bend them by hammering into the right shape.
Lillie - great work so far. It was good to see that you got started so quickly. There's lots for you to do:
Pictures of other jewellry holders for inspiration
Materials that you will make it from ( I recommend a wooden base for stability)
Sketches of lots of different ideas
These are the things I will need.
thin steel rods x5. Each wire will be at the most 9cm (I will cut down some so they are different lengths)
A block of wood (6cm3)
Paint
Process
First of all, I will shape the wood so it is curved like the picture above. I will then sand the wood down until it is smooth. after that, I will cut the wires so that they are all varying in length, the longest one being 9cm. Next, I am going to put the wires into the wood and shape them so they are curled at the top so the jewellery won't fall off. this is shown above. Last of all, I will paint the wooden stand all over and leave it to dry.
Learning Log 24/2/11
Today in CDT we got started on making our projects. The first thing I did was drill holes in a block of wood (the base) so I could secure it onto a machine called a I needed to use. The machine a (lathe) will shape the wood so that it is curved and smooth. I made a start at shaping the wood and it is very complicated. First of all I needed to actually set up the machine so that is was at the right height and angle. Then I got the correct tool and I was ready to go. The first problem we came across was that the base I had designed was not steady enough at the bottom. To solve this, me and Mrs Smyth decided to turn the base upside down, therefore making the wider bit at the bottom. Another thing I had to change was the size of the wood. I had origionally made it a 6cm3 block but Mrs Smyth said that once I had shaped it and sanded it, it would be to small. Luckily, she had got me a cylinder shaped piece. Next week, I will carry on with shaping the wood.
What was the machine and tool called that I used on Thursday?
Learning Log 3/3/11
Today in CDT, a new skill I used was being more confident in the way I worked because when I entered the classroom, I got straight to work and I knew where everything was and what to do. During class, I carried on with shaping the wood for about 20 minutes. Then, we did a whole class task where there were white bits of paper with different skills on them and yellow bits of paper with examples on them. We all got a bit of paper and we had to go in groups to match them up. Next week, I will learn how to properly shape the base into the actual shape in my design. I will go up to see Mrs Smyth on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of next week to learn how to do this.
Learning Log 10/3/11
This week on Tuesday, Iona and I both went up to CDT to see Mrs Smyth. She taught us how to properly shape our bits of wood. It isn't really that different from what we normally do. The only difference is that we had to position the tool rest at an angle. On Thursday, I continued with this and managed to get rid of the big dents on the sides of the wood. I am quite pleased with my progress and had fun as it was a challenge trying to angle the tool rest and tool so that I got rid of the right bits. At one point, I had a big rim at the bottom so had to work hard to get that away and prevent it from happening again. Next week, I will try to finish using the lathe and will start to sand the wood down so it is smooth.
Learning Log 24/3/11
In CDT this week, we got started as soon as we got to the classroom so me and Iona set up on the lathe. We spent about twenty minutes shaping the wood and then how could you do thatwent on to sanding it down. I really enjoyed doing this as it is quite easy and gets rid of the dents and scratches quickly. To sand, We still used the lathe but instead of the tool we used to shape, we used sandpaper. The roughest one was used at the start to get rid or the big bumps and we used a softer one to smooth it out more. One problem I came across this week, was once I had finished shaping, the base was still to big. I solved this problem by shaping it so it was still even but the whole thing was smaller. I was very happy with the amount I achieved today. Next week I will continue with sanding the base but will use a softer sandpaper. If I finish that then I will take it off the lathe and either paint it or drill holes for the wires.
Learning Log 31/3/11
In CDT this week we had to pair up with someone who wasn't doing the same project as us and film them talking about their project. We had to ask them questions like what would you like to improve on and how could you do it. I decided that the shape of my base wasn't quite right. I said I would solve that problem by sanding more on the bits that jutted out to much or didn't look right to wear them down. After that, we got to work on our projects. I started sanding with a smoother sandpaper which was really effective. once I had finished it looked really good. Next week I will start cutting the wires and will start polishing them.
Learning Log 7/4/11
This week in CDT, I started by putting my base on the lathe and quickly finished sanding it down. It felt really smooth. Last week I said I was going to start on the wires but I wasn't finished on the base as I had to paint on this stuff called Sanding Sealer. Sanding Sealer keeps the wood smooth after you have sanded it. After that I had to use steel wool. To do this you put the lathe on and use it as if you were sanding it only lighter. Then I rubbed it with wax to make it shiny After I had done a bit of it I had to wipe the wax off using a rag. Once I had completed all that it was the end of the block. I got a bit worried as Mrs Smyth said that after the easter holidays we would only have three weeks left of this project. Next time I will definitely start cutting the wires and mabye start polishing them up.
Learning Log 5/5/11
This week in CDT, I started off by cutting three pieces of wire from a huge coil. It was really heavy and was hard work to cut. I then straightened the pieces of wire by putting them in the vice and tightening it until it was straight. I then started to shape them. I did this by putting it in the vice with a small piece sticking out. Then, putting a metal pole in the vice, I tightened it and started hammering it down with a mallet. once I had done that, I shifted the pole and wire to a different position so that I could get the shape I wanted. I would like it to be curved into a spiral at the top so that I can hang my jewellery on it. I only managed to finish one and I am half way through the second one. It takes a lot of time and thought to manage to get it in the right shape. I will really have to hurry up and get more things done next week as we will only have three weeks left of term to get it done.
Learning Log 12/5/11
This week, Iona and I were supposed to go up to CDT on Monday to learn how to braze the metal together but we completely forgot! On Thursday, we finished curling the wire which was hard work because I could never get it into the right shape and would have to start again. We then started polishing up the bits of wire that are going to be brazed together with wet and dry paper. We needed to do that because it made it able to be brazed together. I am getting quite worried because we only have a couple of weeks before the timetables change so Iona andI are going up to learn how to braze this Monday and I might go up another day so that I can mabye start to paint the base or even drill holes so the wire can be attached.
Introduction
In CDT, we have been given the chance to set up our own project. The only rules that we have to go by are that it has to be a sensible, realistic idea and it can't just be a pile of rubbish when we have finished. On this page, I will record everything I will do during my project. This includes all my research and ideas.My Project
I Really love bracelets. I love making them, collecting them and wearing them. A group of my friends are making jewellery trees and so I thought I would join them as this is a thing I am really interested in.But Why?
I decided to go ahead with this project because I am really interestd in making things that I will find a use for and that require a lot of fiddling about(eg. I made a bracelet that involved making my own clasps and bending the wire to keep the beads on).another reason why I chose this is because I have a lot of bracelets and I have no where to put them.
My Reseach
For my Project I will need to,Lillie - great work so far. It was good to see that you got started so quickly. There's lots for you to do:
These are the things I will need.
Process
First of all, I will shape the wood so it is curved like the picture above. I will then sand the wood down until it is smooth. after that, I will cut the wires so that they are all varying in length, the longest one being 9cm. Next, I am going to put the wires into the wood and shape them so they are curled at the top so the jewellery won't fall off. this is shown above. Last of all, I will paint the wooden stand all over and leave it to dry.
Learning Log 24/2/11
Today in CDT we got started on making our projects. The first thing I did was drill holes in a block of wood (the base) so I could secure it onto a machine called a I needed to use. The machine a (lathe) will shape the wood so that it is curved and smooth. I made a start at shaping the wood and it is very complicated. First of all I needed to actually set up the machine so that is was at the right height and angle. Then I got the correct tool and I was ready to go. The first problem we came across was that the base I had designed was not steady enough at the bottom. To solve this, me and Mrs Smyth decided to turn the base upside down, therefore making the wider bit at the bottom. Another thing I had to change was the size of the wood. I had origionally made it a 6cm3 block but Mrs Smyth said that once I had shaped it and sanded it, it would be to small. Luckily, she had got me a cylinder shaped piece. Next week, I will carry on with shaping the wood.What was the machine and tool called that I used on Thursday?
Learning Log 3/3/11
Today in CDT, a new skill I used was being more confident in the way I worked because when I entered the classroom, I got straight to work and I knew where everything was and what to do. During class, I carried on with shaping the wood for about 20 minutes. Then, we did a whole class task where there were white bits of paper with different skills on them and yellow bits of paper with examples on them. We all got a bit of paper and we had to go in groups to match them up. Next week, I will learn how to properly shape the base into the actual shape in my design. I will go up to see Mrs Smyth on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of next week to learn how to do this.Learning Log 10/3/11
This week on Tuesday, Iona and I both went up to CDT to see Mrs Smyth. She taught us how to properly shape our bits of wood. It isn't really that different from what we normally do. The only difference is that we had to position the tool rest at an angle. On Thursday, I continued with this and managed to get rid of the big dents on the sides of the wood. I am quite pleased with my progress and had fun as it was a challenge trying to angle the tool rest and tool so that I got rid of the right bits. At one point, I had a big rim at the bottom so had to work hard to get that away and prevent it from happening again. Next week, I will try to finish using the lathe and will start to sand the wood down so it is smooth.Learning Log 24/3/11
In CDT this week, we got started as soon as we got to the classroom so me and Iona set up on the lathe. We spent about twenty minutes shaping the wood and then how could you do thatwent on to sanding it down. I really enjoyed doing this as it is quite easy and gets rid of the dents and scratches quickly. To sand, We still used the lathe but instead of the tool we used to shape, we used sandpaper. The roughest one was used at the start to get rid or the big bumps and we used a softer one to smooth it out more. One problem I came across this week, was once I had finished shaping, the base was still to big. I solved this problem by shaping it so it was still even but the whole thing was smaller. I was very happy with the amount I achieved today. Next week I will continue with sanding the base but will use a softer sandpaper. If I finish that then I will take it off the lathe and either paint it or drill holes for the wires.Learning Log 31/3/11
In CDT this week we had to pair up with someone who wasn't doing the same project as us and film them talking about their project. We had to ask them questions like what would you like to improve on and how could you do it. I decided that the shape of my base wasn't quite right. I said I would solve that problem by sanding more on the bits that jutted out to much or didn't look right to wear them down. After that, we got to work on our projects. I started sanding with a smoother sandpaper which was really effective. once I had finished it looked really good. Next week I will start cutting the wires and will start polishing them.Learning Log 7/4/11
This week in CDT, I started by putting my base on the lathe and quickly finished sanding it down. It felt really smooth. Last week I said I was going to start on the wires but I wasn't finished on the base as I had to paint on this stuff called Sanding Sealer. Sanding Sealer keeps the wood smooth after you have sanded it. After that I had to use steel wool. To do this you put the lathe on and use it as if you were sanding it only lighter. Then I rubbed it with wax to make it shiny After I had done a bit of it I had to wipe the wax off using a rag. Once I had completed all that it was the end of the block. I got a bit worried as Mrs Smyth said that after the easter holidays we would only have three weeks left of this project. Next time I will definitely start cutting the wires and mabye start polishing them up.
Learning Log 5/5/11
This week in CDT, I started off by cutting three pieces of wire from a huge coil. It was really heavy and was hard work to cut. I then straightened the pieces of wire by putting them in the vice and tightening it until it was straight. I then started to shape them. I did this by putting it in the vice with a small piece sticking out. Then, putting a metal pole in the vice, I tightened it and started hammering it down with a mallet. once I had done that, I shifted the pole and wire to a different position so that I could get the shape I wanted. I would like it to be curved into a spiral at the top so that I can hang my jewellery on it. I only managed to finish one and I am half way through the second one. It takes a lot of time and thought to manage to get it in the right shape. I will really have to hurry up and get more things done next week as we will only have three weeks left of term to get it done.Learning Log 12/5/11
This week, Iona and I were supposed to go up to CDT on Monday to learn how to braze the metal together but we completely forgot! On Thursday, we finished curling the wire which was hard work because I could never get it into the right shape and would have to start again. We then started polishing up the bits of wire that are going to be brazed together with wet and dry paper. We needed to do that because it made it able to be brazed together. I am getting quite worried because we only have a couple of weeks before the timetables change so Iona andI are going up to learn how to braze this Monday and I might go up another day so that I can mabye start to paint the base or even drill holes so the wire can be attached.